SECOND  SUGGESTIONS 


CONCERNING  THE 


Congrcsisf 


ON 

PURPOSE  AND  METHODS 

OF 

Sitter = Cfiurcf)  Jf eberationsi 

STATE  - COUNTY  - LOCAL 


PITTSBURGH,  PA. 

October  1st  to  4th,  1917 


Under  the  Auspices 
of  the 

Commission  on  Inter -Church  Federations 

of  the 

Federal  Council  of  the  Churches  of  Christ 
in  America 


FRED  B.  SMITH,  Chairman 

REV.  ROY  B.  GUILD,  Executive  Secretary 

ALFRED  R.  KIMBALL,  Treasurer 


THE  REASON 


The  Congress  will  be  held  in  recognition  of  five  pressing  demands 

manifested  by  the  Churches  and  Christian  Organizations  in  every  part 

of  the  country. 

FIRST : The  growing  conception  of  the  Kingdom  of  God  as  re- 
lated to  the  entire  community.  The  clearest  visioned  leaders 
of  religious  work  have  come  to  understand  that  the  problem  of  the 
Church  and  all  its  varied  organizations  is  to  Christianize  the  entire 
community  rather  than  alone  to  build  up  individual  churches  and 
societies.  The  realization  of  this  ideal  is  possible  only  by  the 
united  effort  of  all  the  Christian  forces. 

SECOND:  The  recognition  of  the  fact  that  the  complete 
Christian  program  is  possible  only  by  co-operative  effort. 

That  the  older  and  primary  duties  of  the  individual  Church  are  not 
to  be  neglected  is  everywhere  acknowledged,  but  the  more  modern 
developments  have  also  revealed  vast  opportunities  which  will  be 
neglected  unless  they  are  met  by  the  combined  forces  of  all  the 
churches.  Some  of  these  opportunities  are  suggested  by  the  names 
of  the  Sub-Commissions  which  it  is  proposed  to  have  report. 

THIRD:  That  all  the  cities  and  towns  of  the  country  may  have 
the  benefit  of  the  experiences  of  the  workers  in  the  cities 
where  this  form  of  Christian  effort  has  been  undertaken. 

Inter-Church  Committees  and  Federations  have  been  springing  up 
in  many  places  in  response  to  this  growing  sentiment.  Some  have 
succeeded  admirably,  others  are  languishing  for  want  of  direction. 
The  Congress  will  seek  to  release  the  best  knowledge  gained  by  the 
study  of  plans  that  have  worked  and  also  give  strong  warning  of 
methods  which  have  hitherto  failed. 

FOURTH : To  reveal  a Christian  program  worthy  of  the  demands 
to  be  made  upon  organized  Christianity  by  modern  life. 

The  world  has  yet  to  learn  how  to  live  in  permanent  peace.  The 
final  platform  for  this  life  will  be  based  upon  the  great  principles  of 
Christianity.  Indeed,  the  present  World  War  is  the  greatest 
summons  Christian  men  have  ever  had  to  perform  the  physical  and 
intellectual  duties  of  citizenship  and  at  the  same  time  the  duty  of 
keeping  alive  the  spiritual  message  of  the  Gospel. 

FIFTH:  To  issue  a hand  book  of  methods  of  inter-church  work. 

No  comprehensive  text  book  upon  this  form  of  Christian  effort  is  in 
existence.  The  call  for  one  is  widespread.  Out  of  the  reports  of 
sub-commissions,  the  platform  addresses  and  discussions,  a carefully 
prepared  manual  will  be  published. 


The  Congress  will  proceed  upon  the  following  plan  for  its  program: 


THE  PROGRAM 

FIRST:  A review  of  the  progress  of  inter-church  work  and  relations 
during  the  past  five  years. 

SECOND:  Reports  of  Sub-Commissions  upon  the  following  phases 


of  work: 

I.  PRINCIPLES  AND  METHODS  OF 

ORGANIZATION 

1.  Relation  of  the  Local  Churches 

2.  Relation  of  the  Kindred  Religious 

and  Philanthropic  Societies 

3.  Relation  of  the  Ministers 

4.  Relation  of  the  Laymen 

5.  The  Finances 

6.  Principles  Applied  to  Cities,  Counties 

and  States 

7.  The  Promotion  of  Federations. 

II.  COMMUNITY  EVANGELISM 

1.  Simultaneous  Campaigns 

2.  Street  Meetings 

3.  Shop  Meetings 

4.  Intensive  Personal  Evangelism 

5.  The  City  As  a Missionary  Field 

6.  Tabernacle  Evangelism 

7.  Rural  Evangelism 

III.  WORLD  EVANGELISM 

1.  Recent  Developments  in  Missionary 

Theory  and  Practice 

2.  Mission  Study  Institutes 

3.  Missionary  Conventions 

4.  Every  Member  Canvass  Campaign 

5.  Missionary  Lectures 

6.  Adequate  Annual  Program 

7.  Enlistment  in  Christian  Vocations 

8.  Missionary  Literature 

IV.  RELIGIOUS  EDUCATION 

1.  Teacher  Training  Institutes 

2.  Week  Day  Bible  Schools 

3.  Development  of  the  Teen  Age  Life 

4.  Organized  Adult  Bible  Class  Movement 

5.  Inter-church  Athletics 

Note- 


V.  SOCIAL  BETTERMENT 

1.  A Social  Program  for  Federations  of 

Churches 

2.  The  Church  as  a Social  Center, 

Public  Recreation 

3.  The  Social  Evil 

4.  Juvenile  Delinquents,  Jails,  Work 

Houses,  Farm  Colonies  and  Prisons 

5.  The  Relation  of  the  Churches  to  the 

Municipal  Authorities 

6.  The  Churches  and  Reform  Movements 

7.  Habits  of  Industry. 

8.  The  Churches  and  Charitable  Agencies. 

VI.  CHURCH  COMITY 

1.  State  Comity 

2.  City  Comity 

a.  New  Districts 

b.  Relocation  from  over  Churched 

Districts 

3.  Combination  of  Churches 

VII.  INTERNATIONAL  JUSTICE  AND 

GOODWILL 

1.  Present  Status  of  International  Friend- 

ship 

2.  Principles  essential  to  permanent 

Friendly  Relations 

3.  Adequate  Educational  Programs 

4.  Occasional  Inspirational  Messages 

5.  The  Churches'  New  Opportunity  in  the 

Era  of  Reconstruction 

VIII.  RELIGIOUS  PUBLICITY 

1.  Federation  Bulletin 

2.  Newspaper  Publicity 

3.  Paid  Advertising  in  Daily  Newspapers 

4.  Local  Federations  of  Churches  and 

Religious  Publicity 

5.  Principles  of  Religious  Publicity 


•The  scope  of  each  may  be  modified  in  the  process  of  the  investigation  by  the  Sub-Commissions. 


THIRD : Discussion  and  supplementary  conferences  upon  special  topics. 
Ample  time  and  opportunity  will  be  given  for  thorough  discussion 
and  additional  conferences  upon  special  topics. 

FOURTH:  Addresses  by  the  best  exponents  of  the  ideals  reported 
upon  by  the  sub-commissions  and  of  the  prophetic  messages  of  the 
Church. 

FIFTH:  Special  session  upon  the  theme  of  permanent  international 
peace.  The  universal  desire  for  permanent  peace  and  the  duty  of 
Christians  to  seek  such  a peace  founded  upon  the  rule  of  right  and 
love,  by  means  consistent  with  good  citizenship,  will  be  discussed 
under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Frederick  Lynch  of  the  Church  Peace 
Union,  Rev.  Sidney  L.  Gulick  of  the  World  Alliance,  and 
James  A.  Macdonald  of  the  Toronto  Globe. 

SIXTH:  That  the  Churches  and  Christian  Organizations  of  the  nation 
may  have  an  unbiased  appraisal  of  the  Congress  and  its  findings  a 
“Committee  on  Observation  and  Recommendation”  will  be 
appointed  which  will  be  asked  to  report  at  the  closing  session  upon 
such  phases  as  they  deem  most  important  in  the  interests  of  the 
Kingdom  of  God. 


SUB-COMMISSIONS 

Basis  of  Organization,  Preparation  and 

Presentation  of  Reports 

In  recognition  of  the  supreme  importance  of  the  work  to  be  done  by 
the  Sub-Commissions  they  will  be  given  close  attention  and  co-operation 
upon  the  following  basis: — 

Personnel  of  the  Sub-Commissions 

The  Committee  of  Direction  of  the  Commission  on  Inter-Church  Fed- 
eration of  the  Federal  Council  of  the  Churches  of  Christ  in  America  will 
appoint  the  Chairman  of  each  of  the  eight  Sub-Commissions  and  request 
him  to  recommend  from  three  to  ten  additional  members  to  be  associated 
with  him.  This  list  to  be  revised  by  the  Committee  and  the  final  appoint- 
ment confirmed. 

Purpose  of  the  Reports 

The  Sub-Commissions  are  to  be  strongly  urged  to  keep  constantly 
in  mind  that  the  reports  are  to  be  of  such  a character  as  to  be  of  immediate 
and  permanent  value  to  the  committees  undertaking  various  forms  of 
inter-church  work  giving  particular  attention  to  cities  and  towns.  These 
reports  after  final  revision  are  to  be  printed  in  a single  volume  as  a text 
book  for  Inter-Church  Federations.  Each  report  to  be  confined  to 
approximately  5,000  words. 

Method  of  Preparation 

FIRST:  A meeting  will  be  held  by  each  of  the  Sub-Commissions  of  as 
many  as  are  convenient  to  New  York  City  soon  after  final  appoint- 
ment. 

SECOND:  The  Chairman  will  divide  the  general  subject  into  such 
divisions  as  seem  most  suitable  and  make  assignments  to  the  various 
members  for  investigation  and  report. 

THIRD:  Each  member  will  seek  information  from  reliable  sources,  by 
personal  interviews  and  correspondence,  giving  first  consideration 
to  the  results  in  the  cities  where  Inter-Church  Federations  are  in 
successful  operation  and  always  to  those  features  which  can  be 
reported  in  sharp,  clear,  vigorous,  practical  form. 

FOURTH:  A conference  will  be  held  on  April  1 6th  of  the  Chairmen  and 
as  many  members  as  possible,  at  which  time  the  first  draft  of  all 
the  reports  will  be  submitted  to  prevent  overlapping  or  omission. 

FIFTH:  Each  report  will  close  with  specific  findings  upon  the  most 
vital  elements  involved  in  the  subjects  dealt  with. 

SIXTH:  The  first  complete  reports  must  be  ready  by  June  10th,  copies 
to  be  mailed  to  all  members  of  all  Sub-Commissions  and  selected 
lists  of  religious  leaders  for  criticism  and  suggestions. 

SEVENTH:  Corrected  copies  must  be  back  in  the  possession  of  each 
Chairman  by  July  1st  to  be  revised  in  the  method  he  may  deem 
most  expedient. 

EIGHTH:  Final  reports  must  be  submitted  to  Mr.  Guild,  the  executive 
secretary  of  the  Commission,  by  August  1st. 

NINTH : Advance  printed  copies  will  be  mailed  to  registered  delegates  by 
September  1 5th  for  their  consideration  before  reaching  the  Congress. 


SUB-COMMISSION S-Continued 

Method  of  Presentation 

FIRST:  Each  Sub-Commission  will  be  given  from  25  to  40  minutes  at 
the  Congress  to  accent  the  major  items  and  principles  of  its  report. 
This  will  be  followed  by  one  hour  and  a half  to  two  hours  of  actual 
discussion  by  the  delegates  upon  the  salient  features.  The  discussion 
will  be  guided  by  a business  committee  to  be  appointed  in  advance. 

SECOND:  After  discussion  the  reports  will  go  back  to  the  Sub-Com- 
missions for  final  revision  and  then  to  the  Committee  of  Direction 
of  the  Commission  for  approval  and  publication. 


THE  DELEGATES 

The  estimate  is  made  that  from  600  to  800  will  be  in  attendance, 

selected  as  follows: 

FIRST:  Each  State  and  Local  Church  Federation  to  be  represented 
by  from  ten  to  twenty-five  delegates. 

SECOND:  Every  city  and  town  in  the  country  to  be  invited  to  send 
from  five  to  ten  representatives  whose  interest  would  be  vital  to 
putting  into  practice,  upon  their  return  to  their  respective  fields, 
the  principles  established  in  the  Congress. 

THIRD:  The  various  national  Christian  and  Philanthropic  Organiza- 
tions to  be  invited  to  send  from  five  to  ten  representatives. 

FOURTH:  Members  of  the  Commission  on  Inter-Church  Federations 
and  representatives  of  the  Federal  Council  of  the  Churches  of  Christ 
in  America. 

NOTE  1.  A registration  fee  of  $2.00  will  be  charged  and  admission 
will  be  confined  to  delegates  except  for  some  of  the  platform  meetings. 

2.  Those  selecting  delegates  are  asked  to  plan,  as  far  as  possible 
for  an  equal  proportion  of  ministers  and  laymen. 


THE  FOLLOW-  UP 

The  committee  in  charge  of  the  Congress  will  guard  against  the 
exploitation  of  untried  or  impossible  schemes  and  will  provide  for  max- 
imum conservation  of  the  new  ideals  to  be  released  by  the  following 
methods: 

FIRST:  In  the  cultivation  and  election  of  delegates,  emphasis  should 
be  constantly  given  to  the  permanency  of  the  program  to  be  outlined. 

SECOND:  From  the  reports,  addresses  and  discussions,  to  issue, 
following  the  Congress,  a handbook  of  Principles  and  Methods  of 
Inter-Church  Activities. 

THIRD:  The  delegations  from  each  town  or  city  to  be  committed  to 
a plan  for  duplicating  the  program  in  ten  to  twenty-five  of  the 
surrounding  towns  or  communities,  as  soon  as  possible  after  their 
return. 

FOURTH:  The  Commission  on  Inter-Church  Federations  through  its 
secretaries,  members  and  friends  to  give  particular  attention  to  the 
cities  represented  in  assisting  toward  the  permanency  of  the  plan. 


PLA  TFORM  ADDRESSES 

In  order  to  give  further  emphasis  and  inspiration  to  the  subjects 
treated  by  the  Sub-Commissions,  the  evening  sessions  of  the  Congress 
will  be  devoted  to  platform  addresses  by  men  of  acknowledged  prophetic 
vision  in  this  form  of  Christian  activity. 

This  statement  is  issued  so  far  in  advance  that  absolute  decision  upon 
the  part  of  the  speakers  desired  is  difficult.  Barring  unforeseen  circum- 
stances the  following  will  address  the  Congress. 


DANIEL  A.  POLING 


RAYMOND  ROBINS 


GOV.  CARL  E.  MILLIKEN 


REV.  JAMES  E.  FREEMAN 


JAMES  A.  MACDONALD 


DR.  ROBERT  E.  SPEER 


MUSIC 


INTERNATIONAL  MALE  QUARTETTE 


Hotels  and  Congress  Headquarters 

The  sessions  of  the  Congress  will  be  held  in  the  ball  room  of  the 
William  Penn  Hotel.  The  headquarters  for  the  Commission  will  be  on 
the  17th  floor.  Following  are  given  the  rates  for  William  Penn  and 
some  other  hotels.  Arrangements  for  accommodations  must  be  made 
by  the  delegates.  This  should  be  attended  to  at  earliest  date  possible. 

WILLIAM  PENN,  (European):  Single  Room  $2.50  per  day  up.  Double  bed  for 

two  persons  $4.00  per  day  up.  Two  single  beds  for 
two  persons  $5.00  per  day  up. 

HOTEL  HENRY,  417  Fifth  Avenue;  Single  room  $1.50  up,  with  bath  $2.50.  Double 

room  $3.00  up,  with  bath  $4.00  up. 

SEVENTH  AVENUE  HOTEL,  7th  and  Liberty  Avenue:  Single  room  $1.25  up,  with 

bath  $2.00  up.  Double  room  $2.50  up,  with  bath 
$4.00  up. 

MONONGAHELA  HOUSE,  Smithfield  and  Water  Streets:  Single  room  $1.50  up, 

with  bath  $2.00  up.  Double  room  $2.00  up,  with 
bath  $3.50  up. 

FORT  PITT  HOTEL,  10th  Street  and  Penn  Avenue:  Single  room  $1.50  up,  with  bath 

$2.00  up.  Double  room  $3.00  up,  with  bath 
$4.00  up. 

COLONIAL  ANNEX,  6th  Street  and  Penn  Avenue;  Single  room  $1.50  up,  with  bath 

$2.00  up.  Double  room  $2.50  up,  with  bath 
$3.00  up. 

HOTEL  ANDERSON,  6th  Street  and  Penn  Avenue:  Single  room  $1.50  up,  with 

bath  $3.00  up.  Double  room  $3.00  up,  with  bath 
$4.00  up. 

HOTEL  SCHENLEY,  Forbes  Street  and  Biglow  Boulevard:  Single  room  $2.00  up, 

with  bath  $2.50  up.  Double  room  $3.00  up,  with 
bath  $4.00  up. 

For  further  information  about  accommodations  write  to  Rev. 
C.  R.  Zahniser,  245  Fourth  Avenue,  Pittsburgh. 


The  following  Congress  Committee  representing  the  Council  of  the 
Churches  of  Christ  in  Pittsburgh  will  give  care  to  local  details  and  the 
comfort  and  convenience  of  the  delegates: 


Rev.  W,  1.  Wishart,  Chairman 
Rev.  J.  W.  Brown 
Mr.  Harry  Dunlap 
Rev.  G.  Herbert  Ekins 
Rev.  G.  W.  Englar, 

Rev.  H.  C.  Gleiss 
Mr.  Ralph  W.  Harbison 
Rev.  W.  H.  Heinmiller 
Mr.  John  C.  Hill 
Prof.  Carman  Johnson 
Rev.  Daniel  L.  Marsh, 

Rev.  G.  W.  Montgomery, 

Rev.  R.  J.  Pilgrim 
Mr.  Harry  G.  Samson 
Mr.  Fred  B.  Shipp 
Mr.  W.  H.  Schuette 

Rev.  Charles  Reed  Zahniser,  Executive  Secretary 


No  detailed  program  will  be  printed.  The  opening  session  will  be 
held  in  the  banquet  room  of  the  William  Penn  Hotel  at  8 o’clock  Monday 
night  the  1st  of  October,  at  which  time  the  Congress  will  be  organized, 
and  the  committees  will  be  appointed.  This  session  will  otherwise  be 
devoted  to  an  interpretation  of  “The  World  Situation  in  Religion”. 


Additional  information  can  be  secured  through 

Rev.  Roy  B.  Guild, 

Executive  Secretary, 

Commission  on  Inter-Church  Federation. 

105  E.  22nd  Street,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

LATER. 

The  Committee  confidently  hopes  and  ex- 
pects that  Dr.  John  R.  Mott  will  give  the 
opening  address  Monday  night,  October  1st. 
This  statement  is  based,  however,  on  the 
following  quotation  from  Dr.  Mott’s  letter. 

"It  is  my  hope  that  I may  be  able  to  render 
the  service  you  have  requested,  but  in  view 
of  the  present  world  situation  I cannot  bind 
myself  to  be  in  any  given  place  as  far  in 
advance  as  the  first  week  in  October.” 


DR.  JOHN  R.  MOTT 


